Mar 16 Black Tie & Black Jack

The BTBJ Gala was such a fun night that even James Bond would have been envious. Everything you expect from a grand event was made available to the guests. The night consisted of an open bar, hor d'oeurvres, buffet style dinner, open bar, an ample selection of desserts, casino games, silent auction, raffle prizes, photo booth, as well as music and dancing. All the proceeds from the casinos games and auctions were going to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Every guest was given $15 in chips to start out the evening on the casino games. Being a casual poker player myself, I naturally found myself at the Texas Hold'em table. After an hour of holding and folding them, I found myself down about $100 dollars, and that's when I quit them.

I walked around and checked out the auction, and I saw a beautiful young women with a tiara on her head. I walked up and realized it was Miss New York.

Jamie Lynn Macchia Miss New York 2016

Jamie was such a sweet young lady; we chatted for a few minutes about her journey to become Miss New York. She told me a funny story about how she could not drink for a whole year because it would ruin the Miss NY image.

Customized Casino night cake

After endless desserts; came the icing on the cake, literally.

I am so glad I came to this event because it supported a cause that I truly believe in. Last year, someone very close to me in my family passed away from Leukemia. It was the first time I lost someone in my life and it was devastating. Charity events like this one really do save lives, so please do whatever you can to help fight blood cancer.